3.94 Cincinnati Reds - Devin Lohman, SS, Long Beach State

The Reds spent the 94th overall pick on Devin Lohman.

Follow the jump for his pre-draft report.

Devin Lohman   Position: SS   School: Long Beach State   State: CA   Year: Jr.   Height: 6’1’’   Weight: 185

Bats: R   Throws: R   Birth Date: 4/14/89   Seiler Rating: 2C2   Last Drafted: 2007 (COL-43)

Devin Lohman is a dependable college shortstop from Long Beach State. Lohman originally came to Long Beach State from Righetti High School in Santa Maria, California, a small town about 30 miles south of San Luis Obispo. Righetti became famous over 20 years ago when a former Righetti player was picked tenth overall in the 1988 draft out of Oklahoma State .That player was Robin Ventura. No Righetti player has reached the Major Leagues since. Lohman is a solid option to beat that streak. He was a solid player in high school, but he lacked big tools, which pegged him as a college player, and the Rockies spent a late-round pick on him as a courtesy more than a serious run at him. He was a part-time player his freshman year, but he became a starter last year, putting up slightly disappointing numbers. He then had a disappointing summer on the Cape, and expectations weren’t very high entering the spring. However, he’s altered his game for the better and has emerged as one of the safer middle infield options in this draft class. He has the potential to be a starting second baseman at the Major League level, but it will all depend on how his bat continues to develop. At the plate, he’s an above-average hitter with below-average raw power, and he works best when he’s squaring the ball into the gaps. Pulling the ball only brings his average down, and he doesn’t have enough juice in his bat to be a major threat for power. He’s an above-average runner, though, so he has some offensive value. Defensively, he’s a very steady fielder with a solid-average arm and glove, but his range is limited a bit, and he fits best at second base. He could potentially go in the third to fifth round territory, and he will likely sign for slot money.